Our History

HISTORY

University Academy was founded by Tom Bloch, Lynne Brown, and Barnett and Shirley Helzberg. The founders believe deeply that students living in the Kansas City Missouri School District deserve the opportunity to have an excellent college preparatory education. The founders’ initial vision was to establish a school that emphasizes college preparation, career development, community service and leadership. The idea for the school was further developed and refined and eventually a charter school application was written. The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) agreed to sponsor the school’s initial 5 year charter. Although University Academy was among the first schools in Missouri to receive a charter under Missouri’s charter school law (passed in 1998), an entire year was spent planning before the school actually opened.

The school originally opened its doors in 2000, operating in a facility leased from UMKC located at 5605 Troost Avenue. In addition to providing University Academy the initial space for the school to operate and agreeing to sponsor the charter, UMKC has supported University Academy in many ways including providing an additional layer of oversight and guidance for both the board and administration. UMKC’s Charter School Center monitors University Academy’s performance and the school annually submits a written school improvement plan to UMKC. In 2005, UMKC sponsored University Academy’s second charter — this time for ten years.

As a result of the support and generosity of University Academy’s board of directors and the Kansas City community, construction on a new 172,000 square foot state-of-the art facility began in 2004. When the new facility opened in August 2005, enrollment expanded from 300 students in grades 6-12 to roughly 1,000 students in Kindergarten through grade 12. The school's campus provides a wonderful home for University Academy to pursue its mission of preparing students to succeed in college and become leaders in society.

Important University Academy Milestones

1999 – University Academy incorporated as a 501(c)3

1999 – UMKC sponsors University Academy’s initial 5 year charter

2000 – University Academy opens doors to 218 students in grades 7-9

2001 – Second school year begins with grades 6-10

2002 – University Academy accredited by NCA / AdvancED

2004 – Construction begins on new campus

2004 – University Academy graduates its first senior class

2005 – University Academy moves into a new 172,000 square foot facility and adds grades K-5

2010 – Friends of University Academy, a separate 501(c)3, is established to support special educational opportunities for University Academy students and alumni, as well as operate an Alumni Support Program

2011 – Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) recognizes University Academy for meeting 14/14 of its performance standards

2012 – University Academy Upper School recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best public high schools

2013 - University Academy Upper School recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best public high schools

2014 – University Academy Board of Directors adopts a five year Strategic Plan

2014 – University Academy Class of 2014 earns a record $2.8 million in scholarships

2014 - University Academy Upper School recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best public high schools

2015 - University Academy Upper School recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best public high schools

2015 - Ranked 199th best high school in the country in the "Beating the Odds" category by Newsweek Magazine